13 Jan 2009 |
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Tweet me!Rick Porcello was one of the more highly touted pitcher’s heading into the 2007 draft, though he fell to the Detroit Tigers at #27 thanks in part to Scott Boras representing him. The Tigers gave him 4-year contract, helping steer him away from college and into their minor league system. Did he live up to the hype with his career opening at Single A as a 19-year old? Well….
8 Wins
2.66 ERA
1.19 WHIP
125.0 Innings
72 Strikeouts
33 Walks
The numbers are impressive, but where are the strikeouts? For a pitcher who is said to touch 97 on the gun, you would think he’d be able to generate significantly more swings and misses at the lower levels of the minor leagues, wouldn’t you? Baseball America explains the situation, saying “Detroit placed him on a 75-pitch limit for each start, and Porcello easily adapted by enticing more swings early in the count”.
That certainly should help to ease some concerns at this point, because that was the only real question mark generated from his 2008 performance. He’s got great control, as evidenced by his 2.38 BB/9. He compliments his pair of fastballs (a two- and four-seamer) with a curveball and change-up at this point, giving him a strong mix of pitches.
The Tigers are desperate for starting pitchers, as age and injuries have caught up with them. They brought Edwin Jackson in from Tampa Bay to help fill things out, but with Jeremy Bonderman coming back from injury and uncertainty hanging over Dontrelle Willis’ head, it is not unfathomable to see him reach the majors in 2009.
With that said, look for a much bigger impact from Porcello in 2010. The Tigers are obviously going to take it easy with him, as evidenced by his 75-pitch limit last season. The Tigers are unlikely to open him up for more then 160-165 innings, meaning he's likely to be shut down well before the end of the season. Stash him away in keeper leagues, because the investment will pay dividends, just do so expecting the payoff to come a year from now rather then in 6 months.
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Comments (3)
  written by Rich V, March 15, 2009
The reason for his lack of strikeouts was that the Tigers didn't allow him to use his put away pitch, the slider. Instead, they wanted him to develop his off speed stuff. He listened, and obviously it worked. This kid looks like a keeper.
written by Scott Woodall, January 14, 2009
Jim Leyland is not shy about trying out new blood if the old isn't cutting it, but when the Tigers called up Andrew Miller back in 2007 - it was met with mixed results.
Porcello is still only 20 years old, and as far as pitching goes in the Tigers farm system - he's the main man = Baby him. Unless a rash of DL's force the issue 2010 does seem more likely for serious impact from Rick Porcello.
written by @RotoTommy, January 13, 2009
Did you see the RotoExperts piece on him last summer? They broke down his pitching prowess and even shared video footage. Great piece. http://tinyurl.com/6vtgtp
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